BY JUNELYN KELLY
The Lewis Farms, a prominent four-generation family agricultural business based in Levin, Horowhenua, New Zealand recently visited Auki and Kilusakwalo in Malaita Province.
In a recent statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade’s (MFAET) Labour Mobility Unit (LMU), the farm originally known for its Tendertips Asparagus, has expanded to become a major producer of fresh produce, particularly hydroponic strawberries.
Lewis Farms has been an active participant in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme since 2007 and currently employs around 80 workers from Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
A senior Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) officer told Island Sun that Lewis Farms recruited workers from Solomon Islands through the Vaka Recruiting Agency.
The officer said the main purpose of their visit to Auki and Kilusakwalo was to see how their workers used their earnings in their communities.
He also said that Lewis farms owners, Cam and Catherine, expressed their satisfaction and were impressed with the houses built by the workers in Auki.
The strawberry season in the farm is said to be from September to June, while Asparagus is harvested from September to December.
Photo credit: LMU
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